Chicago: A Hub of Innovation in the College-to-Career Transition

Recorded live at the 2025 ASU+GSV Summit in San Diego, this session featured Nivine Megahed, President at National Louis University, and Aimée Eubanks Davis, Founder & Chief Executive Officer at Braven.

The session addressed the persistent opportunity gap facing low-income and first-generation college students, noting that only about 30% of the 1.4 million students in this group who enroll in college each year go on to graduate and secure a strong first job or pursue graduate studies. The speakers highlighted a powerful collaboration between National Louis University, Braven, and local employers in Chicago as a model for closing this gap. Through innovative partnerships, the initiative equips college students with the critical skills and professional networks needed to thrive post-graduation and achieve the American Dream.